Device for reproducing sounds.



No. 653,654. Patented July -l7, I900;

- J. N. BROWN.

DEVICE FOR REPRUDUCING SOUNDS.

' (Application filed Apr. 22, 1897.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets8heef I.

3 W ZZWE2W m, 15y Weaerlm No. 653,654. I I Patented July l7, I900.

' J. N. snowu.

DEVICE FOR REPRODUGING SOUNDS.

(Application filed Apt. 22, 1897.) I (No Model.) 2 Sheets-sheaf 2.

UNITED "STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH N. BROWN, OF MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN;

DEVICE FOR REPRODUCING SOUNDS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 653,654, dated July 17,19063 Application filed April 22, 1897. Serial No. 633,340. (No model.)

To (ZZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J OSEPH N. BROWN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Muskegon, in the county of Muskegon and State of Michigan,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices forReproducing Sounds; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

This invention has reference to a novel construction in a device forreproducing the sounds of a phonogram-record.

The invention consists in the features of construction hereinafterdescribed and specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure1 is a side elevation of a sound-reproducing device constructed inaccordance with this invention and shown as arranged for reproducingsounds recorded upon a gramophone-disk. Fig. 2 is a top plan View of thesame. Fig. 3

is a side elevation of this invention as arranged for reproducing soundsrecorded upon a phonograph-cylinder. Fig. 4 is a vertical section takenon the line 4 4 of Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of theresilient post or support in detail.

I have discovered'that the sound-writings of a phonogram can bereproduced as sonorous vibrations by means of a single bar or rod,preferably of wood, that is yieldingly supported and which is providedwith a point or projection adapted to travel in the spiral groove orscore containing the sound-writings. In constructing a device of thiskind I have successfully reproduced sounds, either musical or articulatespeech, from the record of a phonogram by the employment of a bar or rodof wood that is yieldingly supported near one end thereof and which isprovided at its other end with a pin or projection to travel in thegroove containing the soundwritings. I am not prepared to explain thephenomena, nor the manner in which the sounds are reproduced,'a'ndtherefore will not attempt to specify herein the scientific principlesfor the reproduction of the sound, but will simply describe theessential features and the principle of the invention as I have foundthem in practical use.

It is understood, of course, that the invention is applicable for thereproduction of the sounds recorded upon phonograph-cylinders,

gramophone-disks, and other analogous.

phonogram-records, andin the accompanying drawings the invention isshown in connection with a phonograph-cylinder and a gramophone-disk.

' In said drawings I have shown a vibratory member 1, partaking of theshape of a rod or bar. As shown-in the drawings, this vibratory member 1is yieldingly supported near one end thereof, whereby it can move bothlaterally and vertically, while its other end is provided with aprojection or pin 2, that projects below the vibratory member and isconveniently located at an angle thereto, as shown, to effectuallyprevent the scratching of the sound-writings. Upon the vibratory member1 is arranged a Weight 3, that serves to hold the projection or pin 2upon the phono gram-record under sufficient tension to pro duce the mostsatisfactory results. This weight is adjustable upon the vibratorymember between the point at which it is yieldingly supported and the pinor projection 2, whereby the tension with which it is held against thephonogram-record can be regulated.

The device as above constructed,it is found, reproduces the soundwithout the aid of a horn or ear-tubes, and, as above stated, although Iam not prepared to explain the manner in which the sounds arereproduced, yet I have found it to be a fact.

The particular construction in the yielding support for the vibratorymember consists of a resilient post 4:, comprising a coil-spring that isfirmly fastened at its lower end upon the base 5, while its upper end isprovided with a finger 6, that extends upward 011v one side of the postand which passes tliroughan opening 7 in the vibratory member, inwhichit fits snugly. This resilient post or support, by means of which thevibratory member is yieldingly supported,is provided with a sockettoreceive a horn or ear-tube, and in the particular constructionillustrated thissocket of course is formed by the cylindrical body madeby the coil-spring, and since the finger at the upper end thereofextends upwardly on one side of the coil-spring the end of the tube orhorn can be easily inserted within the upper end of the coil-spring. Thesaid coil-spring can be secured firmly in its upright position byforcing its lower end over a boss or projection 8 upon the base 5. Thepin or projection near the free end of the vibratory member isremovable, so that it can be replaced when worn or whenever it isdesired, and as an inexpensive and simple embodiment the end of thevibratory member is simply provided with an opening in which the pin orprojection is wedged.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the device is shown in connection with aphonogram-disk, while in Fig. 3 it is shown in connection with aphonogramcylinder. In Fig. 3 I have also shown the pin or projection 2as provided at its lower end with a minute roller 9 to come in contactwith the phonogram record and which will of course subject the saidrecord to less wear than if used in connection with the rigid point orprojection, as heretofore described, and shown in Figs. 1 and 2.Further, in Fig. 31 have shown the post or support for yieldinglysupporting the end of the vibratory member as solid, as shown at 10,while it is provided with a yielding finger 6, upon which the member 1is mounted. In this construction the end of the vibratory member can bereduced or rounded, so that it can be inserted in the end of theear-tube 11 or in the horn, as is obvious.

It is understood, of course, that the form of post shown in Figs. 1 and2 serves to intensify the vibration and to make the sound clearer and ofgreater volume as compared with the form of post shown in Fig. 3,although in accordance with the principle involved by this invention Icontemplate employing either a solid, a coil-spring, or a resilient postfor supporting the vibratory member for the purpose of reproducing thesounds of a phonogramrecord either with or without the aid of anear-tube or horn, as found most convenient and desirable.

Having thus described my device, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is--- 1. A sound-reproducing device,consisting of a vibratory member secured near one end thereof to aresilient post or support comprising a coil-spring, and provided nearits other end with a point or projection adapted to travel over thesound-writings of a phonogram.

2. A sound-reproducing device, consisting of a vibratory member securednear one end thereof to an upwardly-extending finger at the upper end ofa resilient post or support, said post or support consisting of acoil-spring,

and a point or projection adapted to travel over the sound-writings of aphonogram.

3. A sound-reproducing device, consisting of a vibratory member securednear one end thereof to a resilient post or support, said post orsupport consisting of a coil-spring having an upwardly-extending fingersituated to one side thereof and upon which said vibratory member ismounted, and a point or projection near the other end of said vibratorymember' adapted to travel over the sound-writings of a phonogram.

4. In a sound-reproducing device, the combination'of'a single vibratorybar of resonant material as contradistinguished from a soundtransmittingdevice, a point or projection at one extremity thereof adapted to travelover the sound-writings of a phonogram, a support consisting of a coiledupright spring mounted at one end on a base and having its other enddeflected and rigidly attached to said bar, and an ear-tube inserted inand leading from the upper end of the coil.

5. In a sound-reproducing device, the combination of a single vibratorybar of resonant material constituting in itself a sound-reproducingdevice, a point or projection at one extremity thereof adapted to travelover the sound-writings of a phonogram, a support consisting of a springmounted at one end on a base and having its other end rigidly attachedto said bar, and an ear-tube.

6. In a sound-reproducing device, the combination of a single solid rodor bar of wood provided near its outer end with a point or projectionadapted to travel over the soundwritings of a phonogram, said rod or barconstituting in itself alone a sound-reproducing device ascontradistinguished from a sound= transmitting device, and a metalspring rig idly connected with the other end of this rod or bar so as tosupport it but permit lateral and vertical movements of the end carryingsaid point, substantially as described.

7. In a sound-reproducing device, the combination of a single'solidresonant rod or bar of wood provided at one end with a point orprojection adapted to travel over the soundwritings of a phonogram, saidrodor bar constituting in itself alone a sound-reproducing device ascontradistinguished from a soundtransmitting device, and a supportresilient within its body and rigidly attached at its extremities to afixed base and to the rod or bar at the end of the latter remote fromsaid point or projection,substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH N. BROWN. Witnesses:

L. R. BROWN WM. CARPENTER.

